Pots pans and thrifting

[eleny]

I'm a pots and pans addict. Being in my late 50s I've accumulated different kinds over the years. Purchased many and inherited some. But in the end, my favorite cooking pieces of all are the early Magnalites that I found at the thrift shop.

They're the heavy aluminum (not anodized) with the early rubber handles and finials. Aluminum doesn't have the safest reputation, so I don't use them for cooking acidic foods. The first one I found was a sauce pot with its lid. The next time I found two more pots with their lids. Each is a different size and in excellent condition. I think I paid a total of under 10 bucks for the three. They clean up easily and I swear that these pots know how to cook by themselves. Now I have a thrifting holy grail - a matching large fry pan.

There are a lot of cruddy pots and pans at the thrifts. Scratched up non-sticks and battered aluminum. But I've seen many wonderful buys. Even anodized Magnalite that must have been donated by people who didn't know. There are almost always great old pressure cookers. I got one small sized stainless Presto that needed a few parts. The total cost was less than 1/3 of the price of a new one and it looks brand new. I think many people are afraid of pressure cooking. So those pots are usually inexpensive at thrifts. I'm tempted to just get one of the big old ones to use without the lid.

Anyhow, I'm addicted to pots and pans and thrifting. Oh yeah.

[chefgirl]

1. OH, you're so right

Last summer I was able to find a HUGE pressure canner, complete with lid and rack for $5.00!!
I was astounded that I was able to find one that inexpensive. I think you're probably right about pressure cooking. Lots of people are probably put off by it, and pressure canning seems to be a dying art.
My parents used to do it, but then gave theirs to my brother :mad: so I had to fend for myself.

From now on, whenever I need an otherwise expensive piece of equipment, thats what I plan to do first.

-chef-

[eleny]

3. I'm amazed at your find

Congratulations! I've seen a pressure canner or two at the thrift but passed them up since I don't know anything about it. I'd like to try it. I pressure cook foods all the time and have done fruits in my water bath canner. Is it difficult? Is it hard to find replacement parts like gaskets for the old pressure canners? You have a good advantage since your family did it. You learned first hand!

I'm going to do some Googling on this subject.

[chefgirl]

5. I was amazed too

Yes, I believe it is difficult to find gaskets and such, which is why I was thrilled to find this one in such wonderful shape!

As far as learning first hand, well... I learned what I could, I was pretty young the last time Mom and Dad did any pressure canning.

I've read a bit about it since then, and basically, it really has a lot to do with what kinds of foods you're planning to can.
Canned veggies and sauces are much safer, apparently, if done in the pressure canner.
Haven't used my 'new' toy yet, but when I do I will let you know what I've learned.

I have canned lots of jellies and fruits with just the water bath system, though, and find it well worth the effort.

-chef-

[gollygee]

2. I found a partial set of Le Creuset pots and pans

at a garage sale for $10. Most of the stuff was in excellent condition.

There's good stuff out there, that's for sure.

[eleny]

4. Now that's a great deal!

I think the dutch oven makes the best spaghetti sauces.

[Eurobabe]

6. I would like to find some old baking pans

cookie sheets, etc. the crap they make nowadays isn't worth a penny.

[eleny]

8. There are always a lot of those at thrifts

I think you'd need to dig a little for the real old ones. But I always see lots of the cookie sheets.

[NMDemDist2]

7. watch fot cast iron at thrift stores

i see them all the time, slightly rusted but not warped

and they are as good or better than a "non stick" skillet once they are seasoned and go from stove top to oven no sweat

see this thread.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=236&topic_id=2189&mesg_id=2189

[eleny]

9. I look but have never bought any

I still have some of my mom's. But sometimes there are some great big giant ones that are tempting. They'd be good to take camping. I like the dutch ovens a lot, too. Nothing cooks stew like cast iron.

One time I checked Ebay to learn which ones are more valuable but I forget now which companies. Should be easy to learn which is which. I imagine the more valuable are considered so because they cook more evenly.

Congrats on getting your old cast iron reseasoned! That thread is a keeper.

[Stinky The Clown]

10. Griswold is collectible, but mainly cuz its identifiable

There's lots of cast iron with no names on it. Griswold (and maybe a few other brands) gets collected because you can identify and date them by the imprint on the bottoms.

For almost all practical purposes, any cast iron that isn't pitted will work fine once seasoned or reseasoned. The stuff's damn near indestructible.

You might even consider a brand new no name one from any discount store. They're usually made in Korea or China and are very cheap, but they work just fine.

The top name in new stuff today seems to be Lodge. I don't think Griswold is around any more (but I'm not certain of this).

[NMDemDist2]

11. my old ones from Grammy are WagnerWare

here's one I think we should all take up a collection for and give to bearfan ROFL

[Stinky The Clown]

12. Liddle Bears by Wagner

Actually, thanks for reminding me. Wagner is another collectible manufacturer.

[bearfan454]

13. Good one

lol

[grasswire]

14. my favorite rummage finds...

...are the cake pans that have the little metal part attached that you run around the rim to dislodge the cake safely. I don't know why manufacturers stopped making those. They are perfection! I've given sets away to people who have never seen them and they are amazed.

[eleny]

16. I have one of those but have never used it

It was my mom's and I'm not sure where she got it. So - they work really well, huh? I always thought they might mess up the bottom of the pie. I'll use it next time. Thanks for posting about it!

[Love Bug]

15. Thrift stores are a good source for Tupperware, too

I've found several good pieces of Tupperware at thrift stores for cheap. The trick is to make sure it's not sticky and doesn't smell bad. I've also found good serving platters and Chicago Cutlery knives at thrift stores.

[eleny]

17. Thanks for the tip about the condition of Tupperware

Buying used items is never without it's pitfalls. Good to know about the stickiness.

[Love Bug]

18. I just got a pasta machine at the thrift store!

I stopped at a thrift store on the way home from work and got an Atlas Italian pasta machine still in the box for $6! Woo-hoo! I also picked up for my sister a 16-piece set of Fiesta glassware for $30 (she collects Fiesta ware so she's pretty excited -- these glasses go for $10/ea at department stores).

She shoots -- she scores!!

[NMDemDist2]

19. sweet!!

it's amazing what you can find

[eleny]

20. Yipes and yipeeeee!!!!!!

You should start a new thread! These really are excellent finds and inspiration for this forum, as well.

I have to find some Fiesta glass pics to see what they are. Is this similar?


And congratulations on your good fortune at the thrift. I haven't had the chance to get out and hunt. I'm working on my kitchen breakfast nook since it's been jammed with stuff during our house redo. It's not a pass through room and so much junk got stashed there. I'm following my resolution to just do one thing each day to clear it out and get everything situated. One thing leads to two and then three. I miss thrifting so much!

[NMDemDist2]

21. you'd be proud of me too then today

I put valances over 4 kitchen windows for $20 total (which included new rods)

:bounce:

[eleny]

22. We've all been so busy doing good stuff

Valances over kitchen windows are always so darned cute. I bet it gave your kitchen a comfy appearance. $20 bucks for 4? You did good!

[NMDemDist2]

23. acutally it was 6 curtains and 4 rods

hehehe I love thrifting :)

[Love Bug]

24. The glasses look like this

Except the colors are aqua, yellow, dk blue, green and peach. My sister already had a few of these so she was happy to complete her set! I got 8 tall ones (like the picture) for $2.29/ea and 8 short ones for $1.69/ea. I figure someone probably redecorated and decided to unload a whole set.

As far as thrifting, January is the best time of year to go to charity-based thrift shops because a lot of people donate stuff at the end of the year for the tax benefit. It's a hunter's paradise!

[eleny]

31. Those are great

I can see the Fiesta deco style. I like the color combination you found. Your sis must enjoy setting her table with glasses to match. It's unusual to find a lot of fancy matching pieces. Your lucky day!

[Stepup2]

25. Copper molds

I found some fantastic, very heavy, copper molds at a yard sale this fall. I think they may be tin with a copper coating based the their weight.

They needed to be cleaned up, but had no dents. I paid a dollar for four of them.

I found a Cuisinart with all the attachments for 5 bucks! Works great.

[grasswire]

26. note

Church rummage sales can sometimes be even better than thrift shops because usually the markers have NO idea what's collectible, while thrift shops are getting a bit more savvy. Plus rummage sales often have a bag sale the second day, where you buy a shopping bag for a couple of bucks and can fill it up with anything.

I've gotten some REAL finds at rummage sales, such as Staffordshire plates worth fifty bucks each for fifty cents each, a beautiful old shabby chic-style braided rug for free, an old oak and green leather desk chair, etc. Oh, and I got a small oak church lectern that now serves as a dictionary stand.

[NMDemDist2]

27. I just saw my top of the line Oster breadmaker (6 years old) at the

thrift store for $16!!!!

to bad I already have one LOL

[Lugnut]

28. I have one Magnalite piece

I found a really large roaster at a local flea market about 10 years ago. I only paid $15 for the thing and only use it to roast poultry. That darn pot allows me to make the best gravy I've ever tasted and making gravy isn't one of my talents.

[eleny]

29. Magnalite roasters are a fortune

And the best gravy to boot? That's a bonus. I'd like to have a Mag roaster. Have to visualize it when I'm walking into the thrift. I hear that helps some people find their holy grails. Congrats on your good find!

[NMDemDist2]

30. this is the same company that made my grammy's Wagner Ware

cast iron I still have

[Stepup2]

32. what is magnalite?

I want to keep my eyes open for it.

[eleny]

33. Magnalite cookware can be different kinds

The newer lines are anodized aluminum and they're matte black with shiny metal handles that are rivetted. They can go from the stove top into the oven without a problem.

The older Magnalite aluminum pots are heavy but have that silvery color. The handles can be black rubber and those are usually ribbed. Here's the Ebay search results that show the new shiny, the older with patina/pitted and also the newer anodized black kind. http://tinyurl.com/6xan2

The bottom should have the name Magnalite on the bottom. But AzDem pointed out that this company also made her grandma's Wagner Ware. Those are good to look for as well.

[Stepup2]

34. Thanks!

I wanted a deep pan for lasagna, this sounds perfect for that

[Lugnut]

35. Mine weighs a ton

But it's a huge roaster. It's shiny and has the ribbed handles.

When I bought it they also had a smaller one that I didn't buy. I've kicked myself many times over that I didn't take that one too.

Mine looks just like this one on ebay. Holy wow! $56!!



Edited to add picture.

[eleny]

36. I was surprised at the ebay bids, too

One of the sauce pans exactly like mine was bid up to $15.00. I paid about $2.50 for it a year ago. And the one for sale looked old and scratched like mine, too. Not shiny like yours. Your roaster is a beauty! If I walked down a thrift aisle and saw one like it I'd break into a sweat. :D